AG Rob Bonta Announces He Will Not Run For California Governor In 2026

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday that he will not be running for Governor in already crowded 2026, with other highly touted candidates including former Congresswoman Katie Porter and former Vice President Kamala Harris, still not having decided.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates have been slowly trickling into the race since April 2023 when Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis became the first major candidate to declare her intent to run a full three and a half years before the election. Since then, on the Democratic side, she has been joined by six others, including high profile candidates State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Senator Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), Former State Controller Betty Yee, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Speculative Democratic candidates have been grabbing headlines throughout the past two years, with Harris and Porter being highlighted as two favorites. Bonta, 2022 L.A. Mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have all also been named as possible candidates. A few, including former Senator Laphonza Butler and state Treasurer Fiona Ma have already announced they won’t run.

On Wednesday, Bonta became the latest potential candidate to withdraw. He said briefly that while he was considering a run for Governor, the election of Donald Trump over Harris changed his mind. Instead, he will be running for reelection as Attorney General to challenge Trump’s order and protect state laws from his administration.

“I feel a calling a to lead California’s legal defense,” said Bonta on Wednesday. “It’s important to always assess the moment that you’re in. The political world changes in seconds, overnight at times.”

In addition, he announced that he would be backing Harris for Governor if she decides to run, giving her an early high-profile supporter.

“Kamala Harris would be a great governor,” added Bonta. “I haven’t spoken directly to her about it. But I would support her if she ran, I’ve always supported her in everything she’s done. She would be field-clearing.”

Rather than dwell on his decision not to run, Bonta focused attention on his speech the previous day reiterating his support for illegal immigrants and keeping migrant children protected in schools. Last month, he was very critical of the Trump administration saying that ICE agents could enter places like schools and churches to haul in illegal migrants.

“If ICE shows up, the school should alert their local education agency administrator and legal counsel immediately,” reiterated Bonta. “They should ask to see the officer’s credentials and any documentation that would authorize school access.”

Bonta’s decision not to run did not come as a surprise, as the race is already crowded with major Democratic candidates. Bonta also would not have fared well against higher-profile candidates including Harris or Porter.

“Bonta is currently in the ‘go after Trump’ mindset alongside Newsom,” Stephanie Lewis, a pollster in Southern California, told the Globe Wednesday. “He said that is his focus, and him trying to become Attorney General again to make it last until the end of Trump’s second term is on brand. To sum it up, Bonta’s decision isn’t a surprise. As for him not running for Governor, well, as my kids would say, ‘And nothing of value was lost.'”